Dumber?

  I know that since I have gotten my Lyme Diagnosis, I have become a social recluse. It is hard for me to explain to people why I have lost 25 lbs. I am on AD's and anti anxiety meds as a result of this diagnosis. I have to write everything down on lists if I want to remember stuff. I was always squared away before Lyme disease. I even kept my husband squared away. He is pretty much on his own now. Scarey thought because he forgets eveything. We just had him tested as well and are waiting for his results! The Lyme disease struck me when I was going through menopause....alot of times I dismiss my wierdness to that. I am taking Bio identical hormones .

HI Michelle,
A word of caution first- as tired as you may be of abx, stopping treatment without the resolution of all symptoms plus two months more, can lead to a relapse. The pain in your feet & toes and the "feeling dumber" aspect suggest you still are experiencing symptoms.

With that being said, I have only just in the last few months began to feel like my brain is working decently. I still feel as though I have been left dumber than I was just ten years ago.

I take comfort in a researcher's paper -although I don't know which one LOL - that there is never any guarentee that the damage that is done when one has tbi's will reverse with time, but there is a chance...with time.

For me I have experienced a big improvement with my brain function - I have a little better access to memories, and my short term memory is improving (slowly!) and my finger are beginning to untwist a little.

Hang in there!

Thanks fot caring Traveler, and I will post his results. Igenex and it should be any day now!

Hi Mokeyho,

Great advice from Traveler...I'm with her on the idea that you are still showing symptoms, etc.

As for the 'feeling dumb' I can totally relate.  I'm a writer and when I was at my dumbest I couldn't write a thing!  I couldn't even have a decent conversation with anyone--- stumbled over words and felt like a moron!

I would often tell my LLMD that  "I just'can't talk today'".... which he understood of course.   

 

Anyway....I think what happens (at least with me) is that you get so used to being 'out of it' that when you're NOT out of it (healing and feeling better)  you still think you are out of it. 

Once my brain fog started to lift, I really had to talk myself into the idea that I wasn't dumb anymore and that I could talk and be normal. 

My mental sharpness did return--a bit slowly-- but it did because I made myself think and concentrate, etc.  I exercised my brain like a muscle that was just out of shape. 

It's like the saying: if you don't use it you lose it.  I would venture to say that you're not brain damaged. Instead (and perhaps) your brain is just being lazy. Don't let it! 

Of course if you're still symptomatic with Lyme then maybe the unsharpness is a part of that.....as Traveler mentioned.

 

not so much dumber... but slower.

the "people skills" and "socially awkward" you mention definitely hits home.

i used to be very relaxed at parties and could make friends laugh anytime. now i avoid parties because i am often just overwhelmed and unable to keep up conversations. and alcohol just makes me feel like crap now so im usually the weird guy not drinking. on my better days i found im able to sort of "fake it" like im fine but its tiring. on the inside im usually just thinking how i cant wait to go home and watch tv alone. sad but true.

-MysteryLyme